Kumustahan: CFIF's Initiative to Listen, Connect, and Act for Its Members
At the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation, we have always believed that the strength of our industry lies not just in the products our members create, but in the relationships we build and the conversations we are willing to have. It is in this spirit that CFIF re-launches "Kumustahan". Kumustahan is a membership engagement initiative dedicated to bringing our team directly to the doorsteps of our member companies, listening to their stories, understanding their challenges, and standing beside them as a partner in progress.
The word "Kumustahan" captures something deeply Filipino: the sincere act of asking, "Kumusta ka?". A gesture of care, presence, and solidarity that reflects exactly how CFIF wants to show up for its members.
We kicked off this initiative on June 5, 2026, with a visit to one of our valued members, Cymru Fine Furniture & Accessories Trader, accompanied by Sir Carlo and Sir Charles. Cymru is a Cebu-based furniture manufacturer that embodies the quiet resilience and deep craftsmanship that defines the best of what our industry produces. It is a partnership of fine Welsh and Filipino craftsmanship located in Mandaue City, Philippines. The majority of their skilled workforce are seasoned craftsmen that have spent a lifetime perfecting their trade and whose dedication continues to define the quality of Cebu furniture.
Cymru shared an honest account of the challenges facing local manufacturers today. Order volumes have declined significantly since 2023, driven by competition from international players with lower production costs and better resource access. Rising material costs have compounded the pressure, making it increasingly difficult to remain competitive without compromising quality.
Operational hurdles persist as well. Customs release delays remain a recurring issue for non-custom bonded companies, and the furniture testing process continues to create ship-out bottlenecks that disrupt delivery timelines. Looking ahead, workforce succession is an emerging concern, as most skilled craftsmen are nearing retirement age, emphasizing the urgency of training the next generation before a critical skills gap develops.
These are not merely business challenges, they are threats to the livelihoods of the workers and communities the industry sustains. CFIF takes every concern seriously, and these conversations are precisely what drives our advocacy, programs, and partnerships. This is why Kumustahan exists.
CFIF is actively working on multiple fronts to address the challenges raised during our visit and to strengthen the foundation's support for its members across the board. In partnership with TESDA and key educational institutions, we are developing skills training programs specifically designed to attract young Filipinos into furniture making.These government partnerships are central to our mission because sustainable change for the industry requires coordinated action at the policy level, and CFIF intends to be a persistent and credible voice at that table.
We’d like to thank Cymru Fine Furniture & Accessories Trader for their time, candor, and continued commitment to the craft. Their story is the industry's story, and CFIF is honored to be part of it. As we continue the Kumustahan visits across our membership, we carry every concern, every suggestion, and every aspiration forward into our boardroom discussions, our government engagements, and every program we build. We are in this together, and together, we will move the industry forward.